The 2003 Chevrolet Express has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,322,185 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire,…
Consequence
Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
SEAT BELTS05V5580002005-12-19425,593 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…
SEAT BELTS04V2250002004-05-11736 affected
Defect
CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD…
Consequence
THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER…
Remedy
TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V0450002004-02-0468,875 affected
Defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
EQUIPMENT03V2500002003-07-151,707,825 affected
Defect
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT…
CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET COULD…
Consequence
IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
SEAT BELTS03V0500002003-02-1418,327 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER THE VEHICLE CRASH, OR ALTERNATELY MAY EJECT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH DURING THE VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT…
STEERING02V3300002002-12-124,158 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.
Consequence
A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITH PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE…
STEERING02V3260002002-12-0218,648 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence
SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STEERING IN SOME MANEUVERS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT…
WHEELS02V3050002002-11-1418,409 affected
Defect
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.
Consequence
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…
Complaints by component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6
ENGINE
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
1injuries
POWER TRAIN
3
SEAT BELTS
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2
2fires
Total complaints75
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 156,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on july 2, 2024, was…”
“The frame and its crossmembers are rusted (rotted) thru above the gas tank making the van useless. The gas tank is even attached at those areas making it a ticking time bomb. This is a know gm frame problem for many years on many truck bodies.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that the cable that held the seat belts together, located in the rear middle row, snapped without warning. As a result, the contact was concerned that, in the event of a crash, the seat belts would not secure properly and cause an…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that the cable that held the seat belts together, located in the rear middle row, snapped without warning. As a result, the contact was concerned that, in the event of a crash, the seat belts would not secure properly and cause an…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet express. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle vibrated whenever the vehicle was being driven over 30 mph over a bump. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the control arms, the pitman arm, the tires and the hubs were replaced, but the failure…”
“My speedometer quickly jumps from one indicated speed to another speed that is clearly inaccurate, down as low as -0- while driving, accompanied by the transmission attempting to downshift on it's own, which causes a severe engine over-rev condition or going into a neutral momentarily with no…”
“My speedometer quickly jumps from one indicated speed to another speed that is clearly inaccurate, down as low as -0- while driving, accompanied by the transmission attempting to downshift on it's own, which causes a severe engine over-rev condition or going into a neutral momentarily with no…”
“I received a notice from gm ( doc id #32202443, #12167 fuel filler pipe corrosion) stating that there was a recall on my vehicle for leaking gasoline. I brought it to sighn chevrolet in riverside ca and the service manager told me that ca vehicles do not qualify. I contacted customer complaints…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA04012 Opened 2004-04-30 · closed 2005-02-28
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE…
InvestigationEA04012 Opened 2004-04-30 · closed 2005-02-28
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE…
InvestigationPE11040 Opened 2011-12-14 · closed 2012-08-16
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
On August 7, 2012 General Motors (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety related recall for model year (MY) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles.The recall affects vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door and that were originally sold or currently…
InvestigationPE11040 Opened 2011-12-14 · closed 2012-08-16
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
On August 7, 2012 General Motors (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety related recall for model year (MY) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles.The recall affects vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door and that were originally sold or currently…
InvestigationPE11040 Opened 2011-12-14 · closed 2012-08-16
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
On August 7, 2012 General Motors (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety related recall for model year (MY) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles.The recall affects vehicles equipped with a left side cargo door and that were originally sold or currently…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Chevrolet Express as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.